French Exit

If this were a film, Tilda Swinton would play the lead character, Frances and the film would be directed by Wes Anderson. 

This book could not be more brilliant.

I wanted to hate Frances, but found her too witty and charming to resist. She and her son Malcolm do some loathsome things: steal, belittle people, act selfishly, but ultimately those flaws are outweighed by their bold personalities. 

The host of other colourful characters, including Small Frank the cat, are brilliantly written and serve to complete a well-rounded tale.

Reminiscent of Chekhov's comic tragedies, we know this "tragedy of manners" will not having a happy ending in the traditional sense. Frances is like the Cherry Orchard's Ranyevskaya in her spending, her selfishness, and desire to go to Paris. Self-destructive and often mean, she flirts outrageously with people and successfully manipulates everyone - including the reader - into wanting things to go her way. 

It astounded me that this writer captured everything from love and friendship to death and depression with both depth and humour. 
Descriptions are rich and often made me laugh out loud - it is really a book made up of wonderful vignettes tied together. Without giving long quotes here, I can't do those vignettes justice, so instead will say: read the book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bloomsbury Publishing and Patrick deWitt for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.